Galloping hobby horse with unitary directional control



Feb. 27, 1962 c. K. GRIEDER 3,023,026

GALLOPING HOBBY HORSE WITH UNITARY DIRECTIONAL CONTROL Filed Dec. 8, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 y mi BY MZXV MTTORIVE) Feb. 27, 1962 c. K. GRIEDER 3,023,026

GALLOPING HOBBY HORSE WITH UNITARY DIRECTIONAL CONTROL Filed Dec. 8, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F/G.3 A

IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent Office Patented 1 Feb. 27, 1962 3,023,026 GALLOPTNG HGBBY HORSE WITH UNITARY DIRECTIONAL CONTROL Charles K. Griedcr, 32 Loyola Place, Oakland, NJ. Filed Dec. 8, 1958, Ser. No. 778,333 '7 Claims. (Cl. 286-218) This invention relates to galloping animal devices such, for example, as a hobby horse. More particularly, the invention deals with a device of this type and kind employing a unitary manually actuated control adjacent the seat of the device for governing forward and reverse progress of the device, as well as a neutral position of the device.

Still more particularly, the invention deals with a device of the character described employing automatically actuated means for moving the head and tail of the device in all operations thereof to thereby similate realistic body movement of a predetermined animal.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and, in which,.

the separate parts are designated by suitable'reference characters in each of the views and, in which:

FIG. 1 is a substantial longitudinal sectional. View through a device made according to my invention, with parts of the construction shown in elevation and parts broken away, the full line position illustrating the neutral position of the device and, in dot-dash lines, the device is shown in a different or manually depressed position.

FIG. 1A is an enlarged detail view of a part of the construction shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail section on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, omitting background showing.

FIG. 3 is a sectional detail view through the front wheel of the device, with parts of the construction shown in elevation.

FIG. 4 is a broken sectional view through the frame supporting the rear wheels of the device, with parts of the construction shown in elevation.

FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged sectional view on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4, illustrating the rear wheel braking mechanism in neutral position.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views, similar to FIG. 5, showing the braking mechanism in the two controlled reverse and forward operations of the device; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic section and plan of the pivotal mounting of the tail unit of the device and showign parts in a different position in dot-dash lines.

In illustrating one adaptation and use of my invention, I have shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing a device or mechanism characterized to represent a horse, the device comprising three primary units, namely the body unit 15, a front wheel and leg unit 16 and a rear wheel unit 17, the latter being readily detachable from the rear leg 18 of the device. The device also includes two other independently movable unit parts, namely the head part 19 and the tail part 20.

Turning now to the body part 15, this part includes an elongated tubular body member 21, one end of which is contracted, as indicated at 22 in FIG. 2 of the drawing, and welded to a bearing sleeve 23.

Pivoted substantially centrally to the member 21, on a pivot pin 24, note FIG. 1, are a pair of substantially L-shaped brackets, only one of which is indicated at 25, the depending portions 26 of the brackets being welded to a tubular fender 27. the welds being diagrammatically illustrated at 28 in FIG. 1 of the drawing.

The fender 27 has a series of vertically spaced apertures 29 for reception of a stirrup pin 30, which protrudes beyond opposed sides of the fender 27. The lower portion of the fender has suitably fixed thereto a representation of a stirrup, as indicated at 31.

The horizontal portions 32 of the bracket 25 are welded to a seat 33, these welds being diagrammatically illustrated at 34 in FIG. 1 of the drawing. It will, thus, be seen that the seat, plus the brackets 25 and the fender 27 become one unitary construction, all swingable about the pivot 24.

The unit 16 comprises an elongated-tube or post 35, to the upper contracted end 36 of which is fixed a cross handle bar 37 to be gripped by the operator in controlling direction of travel of the device by rotation on a pin 38 detachably mounted in the sleeve 23 and in a bracket 39 welded to the tube 35, as diagrammatically illustrated at 40 in FIG. 2 of the drawing. The bracket 39 is generally U-shaped in form, as clearly noted in FIG. 1 of the drawing.

Fixed to the outer surface of-the tube 35, adjacent the upper end thereof, are side panels 41, characterizing the front body portion and legs of an animal, such for example, as a horse, and also welded to the post, within the panels 4-1, is an upwardly and forwardly extending channel 42 supporting a pivot 43, upon which the characterization of a head 44 is mounted, the head fitting and operating in a rounded portion 45 of the plates 41, as clearly noted in FIG. 1 of the drawing.

Welded to the lower end of the tube 35 is a wheel suppo ting yoke 46, the weld being diagrammatically seen at 47 in FIG. 3 of the drawing. The yoke forms a support for a front axle 48, upon which the front wheel 49 is rotatably mounted.

At the rear of the body unit is a tubular frame member 50, to the lower contracted end 51 of which is welded an elongated U-shaped bearing plate 52, this Welding being diagrammatically illustrated at 53 in FIG. 4 of the drawing. The plate 52 is apertured to receive a coupling pin 54, which passes through the rear axle or shaft 55 of the unit 17.

The shaft 55 is snugly engaged by the plate 52. The pin 54 provides the detachable mounting of the unit 17 with respect to the member 50.

Welded to end portions of the shaft 55, as seen at 56 in FIG. 4 of the drawing, are elongated plates 57, outwardly of which the shaft 55 has collars 58, checking inward movement of rear wheels 59 rotatably mounted on the outer end portions of the shaft 55.

Welded to outer surfaces of the frame member 50, at

the upper end therof, are a pair of L-shaped brackets, one of which is indicated at 69 in FIG. 1 of the drawing. These brackets are generally of the contour of the brackets 25 and are pivoted, as seen at 61, to the rear end portion of the tubular frame 21.

Pivotally coupling the brackets 25 and 60 are a pair of links, one of which is indicated at 62, the links being preferabv arran ed upon outer surfaces of the brackets 25 and 60 in order to clear the member 21.

The links 62 are pivoted to the bracket 25, as seen at 63, and to the bracket 60, as seen at 64.

A spring 65 is coupled with the pin 64 and with a pin 66 supported in the brackets 25. It will be noted that the fender 27 is cutaway, as seen at 27', to provide free movement of the spring 65. The spring 65 normally supports the parts of the device in what may be termed the neutral position, as shown in full lines in FIG. 1 of the drawing and, when the device is occupied by an operator arranged upon the seat, the spring will be extended to a degree governed by the weight of the occupant and will be further extended in the operation of the device, as later described.

Suitably fixed to the seat 33 are side plates 67, note FIG. 4 of the drawing, characterizing the rear body portion and legs of the animal and one of these plates is indicated in FIG. 1 of the drawing. The forward portions of the plates extend to a point normally overlapping rear portions of side plates 68, which are characterized to generally conform with the forward portions of the plate 67 and may be said to define the forward body portion of the animal, the plates 63 being disposed within the plate 67 and suitably fixed to the member 21.

Mounted in the member 21 and in the plates 68 is a pivot pin 69 for pivotally supporting, within the member 21, a unitary operating lever 70, having a ball handgrip end 71 disposed forwardly of the seat 33. The lever has a lower offset portion 72 arranged within the tubular member 21 and the member 21 is apertured, as seen at 73, to provide swinging movement of the lever 70 from the neutral position, shown in full lines in FIG. 1, to forward and reverse positions, as indicated by the arrows F and R of FIG. 1, designating forward and reverse movements. The member 21 is also apertured, as seen at 74, to provide free movement of a flexible shaft 75 coupled with the extension 72 and passing downwardly through a cable 76 fixed to the post 35 at intervals, as indicated at 77, the free end of the shaft 75 being coupled with a cross-strap 78, as seen at 79, the cross-strap 78 being pivoted to the bracket 46, as seen at 80. Note, in this connection, FIG. 3 of the drawing.

The free ends of the cross-strap 78 have springs 81 coupled therewith, note FIG. 1, and these springs, in turn, are coupled with a pair of brake shoes 82 and 83, the latter being pivoted to the bracket 46, as indicated at 82' and 83.

Coupled with the lever 70, above the pivot 69, as at 84, is another flexible shaft 85, which extends through a flexible tube 36 suitably supported in the rear portion of the device, as diagrammatically noted in FIG. 1 of the drawing, and down along the rear member 50to expose the lower end of the shaft 85 for coupling with a link 87. The link 87 is fixed centrally to a transverse rod 88, note FIG. 4 of the drawing, the rod having a bearing support in the lower end of the plates 57, as seen at 89. Welded or otherwise fixed to the ends of the rod 88, beyond the plates 57, are cross-straps 90, generally similar to the cross-straps 78.

Considering FIGS. to 7, inclusive, here are illustrated the straps 90 as they appear in the neutral position of FIG. 5 and in the backward and forward operating positions of the device, as noted in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Considering FIG. 4 of the drawing, it will appear that sleeves 91 are mounted on the shaft 55, between 57 and,

58, the sleeves having extending T-shaped brake actuating elements 92, the ends of the crossheads of which have inwardly extending finger portions 93 adapted to actuate brake elements 94 pivoted to the plates 57, as seen at 95. Springs 96 couple the ends of the crosshead of 92 with the ends of the cross-straps 90.

It will appear that the brake unit for one wheel only has been illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7, inclusive. However, the unit for the other wheel is identical in construction. Thus, the brief description of the one unit will apply to both. FIG. 5 shows the brake element 94 in a raised inoperative or neutral position which would provide free wheeling of the wheels 59. However, in operation of the lever 70 in a forward direction, it will appear that the brake element 94 will be moved into engagement with the wheel 59, as noted in FIG. 7, stopping rearward progress of the wheel 59; whereas, in pulling rearwardly on the lever 70, the parts will be moved into the position of FIG. 6, where the brake element 94 will check forward progress of the wheel 59 in the rear movement of the device.

In the foregoing operations of the lever 70, when the lever is moved forwardly, a downward movement of the rear end of the cross-strap 78 will move the brake 83 into engagement with the wheel 49 to prevent rear- Ward movement thereof, thus freeing the wheel for forward progress, In contrast, when the lever 70 is moved having an aperture 112 therein.

4 rearwardly, the brake 82 will be moved into operative engagement with the wheel 49, checking said wheel against forward movement, thus allowing the device to move rearwardly.

Fixed to the forward upper end of what might be termed the saddle portion defined by the seat 33 and the plates 67, as seen at 97, is a cord or cable 98, which passes over a pulley 99 suitably supported in the plates 68 and, then, around a pulley 109 supported in the channel 42 and, then, fixed to the head 19, as seen at 101, at a point beyond the pivot 43 of said head. A pin 102 is fixed in the head and operatively engages the channel 42 in checking inward movement of the lower portion of the head, particularly by action of a spring 103 fixed to the channel 42 and to a pin 104 on the head. It will be noted that the cord or cable 98 passes through apertures 105 in the post 35, sufficient clearance being provided to compensate for swinging movement of the front unit 16 on the pivot axis 38.

'With this construction, it will be apparent that, in downward movement of the body portion or, in other words, the saddle, a rearward pull will taken place on the cord or cable 98, resulting in swinging the head into the dotted line position indicated in FIG. 1 of the drawmg.

It will, thus, be apparent that, in operation of the device in moving forwardly or backwardly, the head will nod upwardly and downwardly on the pivot 43.

In addition to the automatic operation of the head unit 19, I also provide means for actuating the tail unit 20 and this structure is most clearly illustrated in FIG. 8. At the rear portion of what I term the saddle part of the body portion and suitably fixed to the plates 67 is a rearwardly and downwardly extending plate 166, having an arc-shaped aperture therein, which is illustrated by the section through the terminal ends of the aperture, as seen at 107 and 167 in FIG. 8. The tail unit 26 includes and inwardly extending bar or rod 108 which operates in the aperture 107, 1117', the rod being pivoted, as seen at 109, to a bracket 1161, supported on the plate 106.

The inner end of the rod 108 has an offset portion 111, An actuating link 113 has a ho k end 114 in the aperture 112. The link 113 is pivoted to one of the links 62, as seen at 115, in FIG. 1 of the drawing. It will, thus, be apparent that, as the links 62 move into their several positions, the rod 168 will be swung in the arcuate path from the end 107 to the end 107' and then back to the end 107. The sectional portion 106 of the plate 106, between 107 and 107' of FIG. 8, represents the portion within the arc ofsaid ends. The pivot of the rod 108 at 199 is a free pivot to allow for the arcuate swinging of the tail unit 20.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that, in any movement of the device, where the saddle portion of the device is reciprocated upwardly and downwardly by the occupant of the device, and that is, when the device may be in its neutral non-advancing portion, or in its for ward progress or rearward progress positions, the head and tail units 19 and 20 will be actuated in the manner previously described.

When the occupant desires to move forwardly, the lever 70 is moved forwardly from its neutral position, thus bringing the brake 83 into engagement with the wheel 49 and the brake element 94 into the position shown in FIG. 7 to check rearward movement of the whezls 59. Upon moving the lever 70 rearwardly or to the reverse position, the brake 82 will be moved into engagement with the wheel 49 and the brake 94 moved into the position shown in FIG. 6. It will be apparent that, in downward pressure upon the stirrup pin 30, which results in raising the body of the occupant from the saddle or seat 33, the Wheels 49, 59 will move toward each other, due to action of the spring 65, after which, downward pressure of the occupant upon the saddle or seat operates to spread the wheels in the manner controlled by the position of the lever 71), as previously described.

By providing the several apertures 29, the stirrup pin 30 can be fixed to suit the size of the occupant of the device and it will be apparent that the devices may be made in sizes to suit drastic changes in the size of the respective occupants and proportionately the strength of the spring 65 will be increased or decreased.

Many of the details pertaining to the structure of the device as a whole have been omitted from a standpoint of simplifying the disclosure and the present construction constitutes a continuation-in-part of the structure disclosed in my prior application Serial Number 761,324, filed September 16, 1958, issued in Patent Number 2,911,- 226, November 3, 1959, in which certain of the structural details are more specifically disclosed and, in particular, the rubber bumpers, checking upward and downward movement of what I have termed the saddle portion of the device.

Having fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A vehicle of the character described comprising a body member, a front wheel supporting post movably mounted on the forward end of said member, means comprising a U-shaped bracket for supporting a front wheel at the lower portion of said post, a rear dual wheel unit, a frame member with which said unit is coupled, means pivotally supporting the frame member on the rear portion of the body member, a seat pivotally coupled with the body member between the post and frame member, means placing the seat in operative engagement with said frame member, brake members in operative engagement with the front and rear wheels of the vehicle, a manually actuated lever pivotally supported in connection with the body member adjacent the forward portion of the seat, means directly coupledwith said lever for actuating the front wheel brake member, and other means directly coupled with said lever for actuating the brake members of said rear wheels, whereby operation of said lever will simultaneously actuate the brake members of all wheels in controlling forward and reverse progress of the vehicle.

2. A vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein both means directly coupled with said lever comprise flexible shafts extending from said lever to the brakemembers of the front and rear wheels.

3. A vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein the brake members of said Wheels comprise a pivoted cross-strap at each of the wheels, and brake elements actuated by the cross-strap through tensional means.

4. A vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein the brake member of the front wheel comprises a pivoted crossstrap, a pair of pivoted brake elements operatively engaging said front wheel, tensional means coupling the elements with end portions of the cross-strap, and the operative engagement of the lever with said wheel brake elements being through the medium of a flexible shaft coupled with said cross-strap.

5. A vehicle as defined in claim 1, wherein the brake members of the rear Wheels comprise plates fixed to the axle supporting said wheels, a rod rotatably supported in each of said plates, the rod supporting, at its ends, crossstraps, a wheel braking element pivotally supported in connection with each of said plates, means comprising members rotatable on the rear axle and tensionally coupled with end portions of said straps for controlling actuation of said brake. elements, and said rod being coupled with the actuating lever through a flexible shaft.

6. In vehicles including a body member, a post movably mounted at the forward end of said member, means supporting a front wheel at the lower portion of the post, a frame member pivotally supported on the rear portion of the body member, a rear dual wheel unit coupled .with said frame member, a seat pivotally coupled with said body member between the post and frame member, means placing said seat in operative engagement with said frame member, brake members at each of said wheels, each of said brake members comprising a pivoted cross-strap actuating wheel engaging means in controlling forward and reverse progress of the vehicle, a manually actuated lever pivotally mounted in connection with the body member between the seat and post, means directly coupled with said lever and the cross-strap of the front wheel for actuating the wheel engaging means of said front wheel, and other means directly coupled with said lever and in operative engagement with the cross-straps of the rear wheels for actuating the wheel engaging means of said rear wheel, whereby actuation of said lever will simultaneously actuate the cross-straps of all wheels in controlling the forward and reverse progress of the vehicle.

7. A vehicle as define-d in claim 6, wherein the wheel engaging means of all wheels is actuated through tensional means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,651,583 Calleson Dec. 6, 1927 2,066,043 Laborda Dec. 29, 1936 2,635,886 Schoebel Apr. 21, 1953 21,738,199 Rand Mar. 13, 1956 2,911,226 Grieder Nov. 3, 1959 

